Getting ready for a Lunar New Year dinner with Katie Leung
The 29 January marked the beginning of the Lunar New Year, which saw a transition from the Year of the Dragon to the Year of the Snake. Regeneration and rebirth are central to the themes of this year, offering an occasion for growth and transformation.
This rings true for Katie Leung, who has been tapped for the hugely-popular Netflix show Bridgerton, where she will play Lady Araminta Gun in its fourth season. Though the next instalment of the series isn't set to be released until 2026, the frenzy has started to build since the period drama's cast was unveiled last September. If the reception of her co-stars before her are any indication, her starring role is likely see Leung swept into the milieu of fashion events and red carpets. While the actress has amassed a loyal fanbase from her breakout role as Cho Chang in the Harry Potter franchise, her role in Bridgerton will no doubt afford Leung the opportunity for a shedding of the past as she steps into the next transformative chapter of her career.
When we spoke to Leung, she was getting ready for a dinner with Huishan Zhang in celebration of Lunar New Year at The Dorchester's China Tang. The London-based designer is no stranger to embracing the duality of cultures, bringing elements of his Chinese heritage to his opulent designs which echo the elements of couture that he absorbed during his time spent working in Dior's famed haute couture atelier. For the evening, Leung wore a powder blue strapless dress by the designer, constructed out of delicate floral lace, paired with a matching cape that fastens at the neck with a crystal-embellished bow.
Below, see what Leung has to say about her relationship with fashion and her personal style.
Please talk us through your look for the dinner tonight – what drew you to this particular outfit?
"It was one of those pieces that at first glance I didn’t think was for me, but then I couldn’t keep my eyes off it as I was trying on other outfits. I made a last-minute request to try it on before leaving and am so glad that I did. There’s a lesson in that. It’s an understated, subtly powerful piece."
How do you decide which brands you want to work with?
"Recommendations from my stylish girlfriends, followed by research and instinct."
What makes Huishan Zhang such a great fit for you and your personal style?
"Huishan Zhang is evolutionary in that he combines tradition and modernity so seamlessly which in turn produces the harmony that we see and feel in his creations. It’s a rare, admirable quality in today’s world and one that I aspire to."
How does fashion form a part of your Lunar New Year celebrations?
"I’m very superstitious when it comes to Lunar New Year so I do try and wear something new and/or red on one of the many days that we celebrate. However, as a fire rabbit, I think my lucky colours to wear this year are blue and green."
How involved do you tend to be with the styling process?
"I like to be involved from the beginning because I believe it should be a collaborative process and want to be able to play and explore all of my options. Failing is important too."
What kind of fashion makes you feel your most confident?
"Fashion that untangles my mind and physical state, that challenges me creatively and takes me to the edge of my comfort zone every once in a while."
How has your style evolved over the years?
"My style has remained pretty consistent over the years. I long for pieces that provide longevity, practicality and comfort without ever having to forego style and individuality."
What has been your most memorable fashion moment in recent years and why?
"Perhaps this evening because it’s my first fashion moment in a long time and more importantly I get to embrace my heritage and culture tonight with old and new friends, wearing and celebrating Huishan Zhang."
Whose style have you always admired and why?
"Zendaya. Her style is daring, bold, transformative and always evolving."
When do you feel most beautiful?
"When I’m surrounded by kindness, and also when I’m able to give it back."
Fashion has a reputation for being frivolous, but why does what we wear matter?
"For me, fashion is an honest and limitless form of expression and communication and so it absolutely matters what you choose to put on your skin."
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